Interactive Gift Bag

ABSTRACT

A gift bag and topper which, in one embodiment, includes a substantially planar die cut piece of material such as cardboard or paperboard, which is attached to one or more handles of a conventional gift bag such that the topper adds an additional entertainment element to the gift bag and may complete artwork or a picture printed on the outer surface of the gift bag. In another embodiment, one or more die cut components are inserted via narrow slots or openings contained thereon onto the top edge of the open end of two or more greeting card panels. The die cut components sit atop the gift bag and may serve to conceal the contents of the gift bag from the recipient.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/197,343, filed on Aug. 3, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/370,135, filed on Aug. 3, 2010. Each of the above-referenced patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of social expression products, and more particularly to gift products including gift wrapping and bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gift bags are widely used packaging and wrapping medium for gifts of small sizes. The popularity of gift bags stems from ease of use and a wide range of styles, colors and sizes available. The typical construction of gift bags has been very conventional, largely due to low cost and ease of manufacture. Conventional gift bags are made of different types of printed paper, folded in a standard manner to form a reinforced square bottom, pleated sides and a crease in one of the main side walls to enable the bottom of the bag to be folded flat with the walls. Paper construction affords a wide variety of print media and finishes which are the primary aesthetic sales-triggering attributes of gift bags. For the basic cubic folding bag, the necessity of a handle has been dealt with in the minimalist manner of a string or rope through opposed sides of the bag. This provides a means for carrying and closure, but does not add appreciably to the aesthetic of the bag other than through color coordination. Gift bags are a difficult product to bring variety to in a manner which makes efficient use of retail space. A greater variety of designs and styles would increase sales, but is not practical given that each group of bags of a particular design occupy a significant amount of retail space. The retail display of gift bags preferably accentuates the primary feature of the printed occasion theme, pattern and color, but such displays are static in the sense that a consumer may decide very quickly based upon this primary appearance of the bags. In other words, the choices are strictly limited to what is displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present disclosure and related inventions, interactive gift bags are provided, in one embodiment, in the form of a gift bag having a front panel, a back panel parallel to and opposite the front panel, two side panels positioned therebetween, and a bottom panel which closes off one end of the gift bag. The bag contains two handles, one handle attached to the front panel and one handle attached to the back panel. The handles are strands of rope or cord that are inserted into two holes or apertures located proximate to the top open edge of the front and back gift bag panels. The handles are also inserted into two holes or apertures contained on a die cut topper which is shaped and designed to correspond or compliment the artwork printed on the gift bag. When the handles are pulled taut, the gift bag topper sits proximate to the top open edge of the front and/or back panel of the gift bag, or “tops off” the gift bag.

In another embodiment, a gift bag includes a four sided gift bag construction and a three-dimensional die cut topper that is removably inserted over the open end of the gift bag. The topper contains one or more slots or openings along the bottom side of the topper so that the topper sits atop or straddles at least one top edge of the gift bag panels. The topper conceals the contents of the gift bag from the recipients and also adds a more decorative effect to the package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the Interactive Gift Bag of the present invention, in a first position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Interactive Gift Bag of FIG. 1, in a second position.

FIG. 3 is a front view of different variations of the Interactive Gift Bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the Interactive Gift Bag of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the Interactive Gift Bag of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

The gift bag topper of the present disclosure and related inventions is a die cut piece of material such as cardboard, paperboard or other suitably strong, substantive but lightweight material that is attached to a traditional gift bag. The die cut shapes of the gift bag topper may complement the artwork printed on the gift bag.

The bag portion of the gift bag with topper is of a conventional design, having a front panel A and a back panel B opposite the front panel A with two side panels C, D extending therebetween. The length of the side panels C, D, controls the width of the gift bag 50. A bottom panel (not shown) connects each of the front A, back B and side panels C, D to create a closed end. Opposite the closed end is an open end for insertion of a gift or other items into the gift bag 50. The side panels C, D may contain a vertical bisecting crease or fold line 10, which enables the bag to be neatly folded and packaged for retail sale. The gift bag 50 also contains two handles 12, one handle 12 attached to the front panel A and one handle (not shown) attached to the back panel B. The handles 12 may be similar to a cord or rope-like structure, which extend between two holes or openings positioned proximate to the upper edges of the front A and back B panels along the open end of the gift bag 50. For each handle 12, a single piece of cord or rope-like structure is used. The two free ends of a first cord are inserted into the two holes in the front panel A of the gift bag 50 and two free ends of a second cord are inserted into the two holes in the back panel B of the gift bag 50. The cords may be inserted into each hole from the outside of the bag to the inside of the bag where each free end of the cord is tied or knotted for secure attachment to the gift bag or alternatively, the cords may be inserted form the inside of the bag to the outside of the bag, where ach free end is then tied or knotted.

In one embodiment, indicated generally at reference numeral 100 and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gift bag topper T includes at least one die cut shape which is attached to at least one of the gift bag handles 12. The topper T may be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes. The shape may correspond to artwork or other printed indicia on the outside surface of the front A and/or back B panels of the gift bag 50. To facilitate attachment of the topper T to the gift bag 50, the topper T may contain two openings or apertures which correspond in shape, size, location and distance between each hole, to the two openings contained on the front A and back B gift bag panels, through which the rope-like handles 12 or cord is attached. Depending on whether the handles 12 are inserted into the openings on the gift bag 50 from the outside to the inside or from the inside to the outside, the handles 12 are either inserted into the topper T then the gift bag 50 or the handles 12 are inserted into the gift bag 50 and then into the topper T. In either case, the handles 12 and the gift bag topper T are secured to the gift bag 50.

The gift bag topper T may move along the length of the cord or rope-like handle 12 between the gift bag and the ends of the handle or handles 12. When the topper T is in a first position, as shown in FIG. 1, the topper T sits at the opposite ends of the handle 12 from the gift bag 50 such that there is space between the gift bag 50 and the topper T. When the topper T is in a second position, shown in FIG. 2, the rope or handle 12 is pulled taut so that there is no slack in the handle 12 so that the topper T sits horizontally flush with the front A and/or back B gift bag panel. The holes or apertures contained on the gift bag topper T have a diameter that is substantially similar to the diameter of the cord or rope-like handles 12 such that there is sufficient friction between the handle 12 and the topper T, while also allowing the topper T to move along the length of the handle 12 when appropriate force is applied. The gift bag topper 12 provides an interactive aspect to the gift bag 50, wherein pulling the handle 12 through the openings located on the gift bag 50 also pulls up the topper T, thereby completing the picture printed on the outside surface of the gift bag 50.

The gift bag topper T may be formed into any shape or size and in a preferred embodiment will correspond with or be complimentary to the artwork or printed indicia on the front A and/or back B panels of the gift bag 50. The topper T may complete the picture or artwork contained on the gift bag 50. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, if the front A and/or back B panels contain a picture of a girl or princess, the gift bag topper T may be shaped and decorated and/or adorned to look like a crown. When the gift bag handle 12 is pulled taut, the topper T is positioned along the top edge of the gift bag 50 so that it appears as though the girl or princess printed on the outer surface of the gift bag 50 is “wearing” a crown or the crown “tops off” the picture contained on panel A. The gift bag topper T may be substantially planar or it may contain three-dimensional aspects. The topper T may additionally contain various adornments such as beads, crystals, or other decorative embellishments. Other examples, shown in FIG. 3, include, but are not limited to: a gift bag 50 which resembles a cupcake and topper T which resembles the frosting (14); a gift bag 50 which resembles a flower pot and a topper T which resembles a bouquet of flowers (16); a gift bag 50 which resembles a gift package and a topper T which resembles a balloon bouquet (18); a gift bag 50 which resembles an ark and a topper T which resembles a herd of animals (20); and a gift bag 50 which resembles a robot body and a topper T which resembles a robot head (22). The examples given herein are representative embodiments but are by no means intended to limit the inventions to the stated examples. A variety of combinations may be assembled and are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

An alternate embodiment of the gift bag topper of the present invention, indicated generally at reference numeral 200 and shown in FIGS. 4 an 5, includes a three-dimensional die-cut topper T that sits above the top edge of a gift bag 50 and may contain artwork or be shaped in a way that corresponds to the artwork or other printed indicia located on the outer surface of the gift bag 50. Alternatively the topper T may be generically shaped and/or decorated so that it can be used with a variety of different gift bags. The topper T contains two or more vertical elongate slots or narrow openings located along the bottom edge of the topper T such that the topper T may contain additional slots or openings that allow it to be inserted onto the front and back panels and/or one or both side panels. The lots or openings fit over or straddle the gift bag 50 such that one side of the slot is located on the outside of the gift bag panel and the other side is located on the inside of the gift bag panel. The topper T may be made of a single piece of material, such as cardboard or paperboard, which contains strategic fold lines which enable the topper T to be folded into a flat position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the topper T may contain four panels or components E, F, G and H, which are connected at a center point along a single edge. Each panel E, F, G and H is positioned perpendicular to or at an approximate 90-degree angle to an adjacent panel, creating a cross or an X-like figure Each of the four panels E, F, G and H contains a narrow slot or opening along a bottom edge of each panel. Each of the panels is then positioned over one of the four panels of the gift bag 50 along the open end and inserted through the slot onto each panel. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, slot S1 of topper panel E is positioned and inserted over the left side panel D of the gift bag 50; slot S2 of topper panel F is positioned and inserted over the front panel A of the gift bag 50; slot S3 of topper panel G is positioned and inserted over the right side panel C of the gift bag 50; and slot S4 (not shown) of topper panel H is positioned and inserted over the back panel B of the gift bag 50. Alternatively, the topper may only have two slots, such as on panels F and H such that the topper T is only inserted over the front A and back B panes or on panels E and G such that the topper T is only inserted over the two side panels C, D. Or in yet another alternative the topper T may consist of a single panel extending over the front A and back B panels or the two side panels C, D of the gift bag 50. The topper T can be folded along the center line such that two pairs of panels are in direct contact and the entire topper T is folded into a flat position. This enables the bag 50 and topper T to be easily packaged while still allowing a consumer to see the structure and design of the topper T to be easily packaged while still allowing a consumer to see the structure and design of the topper T. An alternate embodiment may include two or more separate planar pieces of material which may be assembled in a three-dimensional structure that sits atop the gift bag 50. For example, a first planar piece may contain at least two slots or openings along the bottom edge thereof, the front panel of the gift bag being inserted into one slot and the back panel inserted into the other. A second planar piece may have one longer slot that may be inserted over the top of the first planar piece such that one piece extends horizontally across the gift bag 50 and other piece extends vertically across the gift bag 50. The second planar piece may also contain additional slots or openings that may be inserted over the right and left side panels of the gift bag 50. Any number of separate components may be attached or ay interconnect to form the gift bag topper T. The panels may be substantially planar or non-planar. The slots provide easy insertion over the top of the gift bag 50 and easy removal by simply lifting the topper T off the gift bag 50. Since the topper T is connected to at least two opposing panels of the gift bag 50, it serves to conceal the contents of the bag 50 from the recipient until removal thereof The gift bag 50 may be filled with a gift or other item and then covered with the gift bag topper T. This embodiment does not limit the types of handles which can be used on the gift bag. The handles may be the cord or rope-like handles, as described above, or may alternatively be die cut handles which are glued to or otherwise attached to the gift bag, or the front and back panels may contain horizontal openings thereon of a size which would allow a user to place their fingers therethrough. Other types of handles may be used as well. This gift bag topper T may be packaged or sold separately from the gift bag 50 so that consumers may mix and match gift bags 50 and toppers T or the gift bag 50 and topper T may be packaged and sold as a single unit.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Other features and aspects of this invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Such features, aspects, and expected variations and modifications of the reported results and examples are clearly within the scope of the invention where the invention is limited solely by the scope of the following claims. 

1. A gift bag and topper comprising: a gift bag having a front panel, back panel, right side panel, left side panel, bottom panel and one open end; a handle attached to the front panel; a handle attached to the back panel; a topper attached to the handle attached to the front panel.
 2. The gift bag and topper of claim 1, wherein the topper extends above a top edge of the open end of the gift bag.
 3. The gift bag and topper of claim 1, wherein the handles are rope handles.
 4. The gift bag and topper of claim 1, wherein the topper is a die cut shape.
 5. The gift bag and topper of claim 1, wherein the topper is located between the gift bag and the handle attached to the front panel.
 6. The gift bag and topper of claim 1, wherein the shape of the topper corresponds to a picture printed on the front panel of the gift bag.
 7. A gift bag and topper comprising: a gift bag having a closed end and an open end; a first rope handle secured to an upper portion of a front panel of the gift bag; a second rope handle secured to an upper portion of a back panel of the gift bag which is opposite the front panel of the gift bag; a planar die cut shape having at least two apertures thereon through which the first or second rope handle is inserted such that the planar die cut shape is secured between the first or second rope handle and the gift bag.
 8. The gift bag and topper of claim 7, wherein the planar die cut shape extends above the top edge of the open end of the gift bag.
 9. The gift bag and topper of claim 7, wherein the planar die cut shape is shaped and decorated to match or complement the artwork contained on an outer surface of the front or back panel if the gift bag.
 10. The gift bag and topper of claim 7, wherein the front panel and the back panel each contain two spaced apart apertures which facilitate attachment of the first and second rope handles thereto.
 11. The gift bag and topper of claim 10, wherein each of the opposing ends of the first and second rope handles are inserted into one of the two spaced apart apertures on the front and back panels of the gift bag and knotted to secure the first and second rope handles to the front and back panels of the gift bag.
 12. The gift bag and topper of claim 7, wherein a portion of the first and second rope handles is contained outside the gift bag and a portion of the first and second rope handles is contained inside the gift bag.
 13. The gift bag and topper of claim 7, wherein the planar die cut shape can move freely along the length of the rope handle.
 14. The gift bag and topper of claim 7, wherein the planar die cut shape completes a picture printed on the front or back surface of the gift bag.
 15. The gift bag and topper of claim 7, wherein the opposing ends of the first and second rope handles are located on the inside of the gift bag.
 16. A gift bag and topper comprising: a gift bag having a first main panel opposite and spaced apart from a second main panel, a first side panel opposite and spaced apart from a second side panel, a bottom panel which forms a closed end of the gift back, the opposite end of the gift bag being open to receive items placed therein; a first handle connected to the first main panel of the gift bag; a second handle connected to the second main panel of the gift bag; a shaped topper which is connected to the first handle, the shaped topper free to move along the length of the first handle; wherein the shaped topper completes a picture printed on the first main panel when the shaped topper is positioned along the first handle to be adjacent to and in contact with the first main panel of the gift bag.
 17. The gift bag and topper of claim 16, wherein the shaped topper sits above the first main panel of the gift bag.
 18. The gift bag and topper of claim 16, wherein the first and second handles are rope handles.
 19. The gift bag and topper of claim 16, wherein the shaped topper contains two apertures thereon through which opposing ends of the first handle are inserted.
 20. The gift bag and topper of claim 16, wherein the first main panel of the gift bag contains two apertures thereon through which opposing ends of the first handle are inserted. 